SPS 377.01SPS 377.01Assembly halls. Under this classification are included all buildings or parts of buildings not included under theaters, where more than 100 persons assemble for entertainment, recreation, instruction, worship or dining purposes.

SPS 377.02(1)(1) The capacity of a theater or assembly hall shall be established by the actual number of permanently fixed seats. Where permanently fixed seats are not provided, the capacity shall be established by allowing 10 square feet of floor space per person in areas used as dining rooms and dance halls, 15 square feet per person in gymnasiums, skating rinks and lodge halls, and 7 square feet per person in all places used for seated assembly. For bleachers and grandstands, one person per 18 inches of seat board will be allowed.

SPS 377.02(2)(2) No greater number of persons than the number thus established shall be permitted in any theater or place of assembly.

SPS 377.03(1)(1)Number. Every theater or assembly hall shall have 2 or more exits, places as far apart as practicable, and so located that if any exit is blocked, some other exit will still be accessible from every part of the theater or assembly hall. This order shall apply separately to the main floor and to each balcony or gallery which accommodates more than 50 persons, and also to the stage, dressing room section and other employees' rooms.

SPS 377.03(2)(2)Type. Each exit shall be either a stairway, or a fire escape, or a horizontal exit (s. SPS 375.12), or for the first floor only an outside stairway with steps or incline to grade.

SPS 377.03(3)(3)Location. If a theater or assembly hall is located above the second story, all interior stairways shall be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (ss. SPS 375.08 to 375.09), each leading to a separate exit door.

SPS 377.04SPS 377.04Fire escapes. Fire escapes hereafter constructed shall be stairway fire escapes as described in ss. SPS 375.13 to 375.23. If the theater or assembly hall accommodates more than 125 persons, such fire escape shall be a “B" type fire escape. Existing stairway fire escapes complying with these requirements will be accepted if strongly and properly built and in good condition. Ladders are not accepted as exits under any conditions.

SPS 377.05(1)(1) Inside stairways at a steeper angle than 45º with the horizontal are not accepted as exits. No stairway will be accepted as an exit if it is necessary to go up stairs in order to reach the head of the stairway.

SPS 377.05(2)(2) Outside stairways heretofore constructed on buildings not more than 2 stories in height will be accepted if properly constructed and in good condition.

SPS 377.05(3)(3) Stairways and steps which have more than 3 risers shall have handrails on both sides. Rails shall be not less than 2 feet 6 inches vertically above nose of treads, or 3 feet above a platform.

SPS 377.05(4)(4) If a closet is located under any non-fire-resistive stairway which serves as an exit from a theater or assembly hall, such closet shall not be used, but shall be kept empty and locked.